Government eases lockdown restrictions in 8 districts of Jammu and Kashmir

The department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction announced these relaxations following improvement in covid19 situation.

The relaxations were announced following review of current covid situation in J&K by Chief Secretary,  Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Principal Secretary Home,  Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and other officers of the  Union Territory.

An order issued by the Chief Secretary and Chairperson, State Executive Committee said that the relaxation was given in Poonch, Reasi, Ramban, Doda, Shopian, Kulgam, Ganderbal and Bandipora on  account of improvement in covid situation.

“Barber shops, saloons, and parlours are permitted to open  on all days in a week except Saturdays and Sundays,” the order reads.

Similarly, all the government and private offices can function without any restrictions on five days in a  week except Saturdays and Sundays in the entire Union Territory, the order reads.

It says that the wholesale liquor shall continue to be permitted to operate on five days in a week  excluding Saturday and Sundays across J&K.

“The District Magistrates shall strictly ensure that there is full compliance to covid appropriate  behaviour and defaulters are firmly dealt with under relevant sections of the District Management Act  and the Indian Penal Code,” the order read.

The order issued by the Chief Secretary and Chairperson, State Executive Committee said: “It was  observed that in comparison to previous weeks while significant improvement has been made by several  districts with regard to total weekly new cases (per million), total positivity rate, bed occupancy, cases  fatality rate and vaccination coverage of targeted population, there is need for further improvement in  interest of public health in all districts. Besides, some districts need intense efforts to reach desired  levels. Whereas, there is a need to continue with existing covid containment measures in these districts.”